Editorial: An important night out

Actually, crime has never been popular with anyone but criminals. What is growing in Topeka each year is the number of individuals, neighborhood improvement associations and other neighborhood groups determined to do something about crime.

Evidence of that is the number of neighborhood groups that display their frustration with crime by participating in Topeka’s annual version of the National Night Out Against Crime. The list of participating groups grows each year and the 2014 event, which is scheduled for Saturday, is being recognized by more that 60 neighborhoods and groups. Last year, 52 groups signed up for the 2013 National Night Out Against Crime.

Everyone participating in Night Out Against Crime is to be commended for their interest and willingness to become involved.

The Topeka Police Department and Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office don’t have enough officers to be everywhere at once. An effective crime-fighting team involves citizens and law enforcement personnel. Citizens can do much to protect themselves from becoming victims of crime and can be good sources of information for law enforcement officers when criminals do strike.

Those participating in National Night Out Against Crime 2014 are saying they want to do their part to rid their neighborhoods of crime and assist law enforcement officers when they must play a role.

Saturday’s event begins with a 5 p.m. reception at the Topeka Police Department, after which member of the police department, Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and the district attorney’s office will visit some of the neighborhood gatherings and celebrations.

The gatherings range from meet-and-greet affairs and ice cream socials to informational talks and cookouts. One apartment complex is having a pool party for its residents and some neighborhoods have planned block parties.

The nature of the gathering and celebrations, however, isn’t as important as the message citizens are making though their participation in the event — that they realize the fight against crime can be won only if citizens and law enforcement work together, and that they are willing to do their part.